UPDATE: I followed the advice about logging out and back in, and found the reset option! I was able to change our filing status to separate and upload both returns. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone with the same problem, the reset option is at the very bottom of the page in tiny gray text. Easy to miss!

So glad to see you got this resolved! This is actually a really helpful thread for anyone dealing with FAFSA tax filing status issues. The new system definitely has some quirks that aren't immediately obvious. For future reference, I'd also recommend checking your Student Aid Report (SAR) carefully once it's generated to make sure all the tax information transferred correctly after making changes like this. Sometimes the system can carry over old data even after a reset. Hope your daughter's financial aid package works out well!

As someone who just went through this process last year, I completely agree with the "file now and update later" approach. We had a similar situation with an amended return that increased our AGI by about $8,000. I filed the FAFSA in early February with our original tax info, then contacted each school's financial aid office once our amendment was processed in April. Most schools were very understanding and simply asked us to complete a verification worksheet with the updated information. The key is being proactive in your communication - don't wait for them to discover the discrepancy. Also, keep detailed records of all your communications with each school since they all handle it slightly differently. Your son's aid packages might be adjusted slightly, but it's much better than missing priority deadlines entirely!

As a college financial aid counselor with 8 years of experience, I strongly echo the advice to file your FAFSA now with your current tax information. Priority deadlines are called that for a reason - schools allocate their institutional aid funds on a first-come, first-served basis after those dates. An amended return that adds $12K to your AGI will likely increase your SAI by about $1,500-2,500, but missing priority deadlines could cost you thousands more in institutional grants and scholarships that won't be available later. Here's what I recommend: 1) File FAFSA immediately, 2) Email each school's financial aid office explaining your situation and timeline for the amendment, 3) Ask if they have a preferred process for updates, and 4) Submit updated documentation as soon as your amendment is processed. Most schools appreciate proactive communication and will work with you. The worst thing you can do right now is wait and potentially lose out on aid that has strict deadlines.

As a newcomer to this community and the FAFSA process, I just want to echo everyone's gratitude for this incredibly helpful thread! My daughter is also graduating spring 2025 and I was equally confused about which tax year to use. After reading through all these responses, I'm now confident that we need to use our 2023 tax return for the 2025-2026 FAFSA. The "prior-prior year" explanation has finally clicked for me - it's actually brilliant that they designed it this way so families don't have to scramble with estimated numbers or wait for recent tax filings. I'm taking notes on all the excellent advice shared here: organizing our 2023 tax documents now, submitting right when the FAFSA opens in October, using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to minimize errors, and checking each school for priority scholarship deadlines. The tip about creating FSA IDs ahead of time is also going straight to my to-do list. It's such a relief to find a community where experienced parents are so generous with their knowledge. What seemed like an impossible maze of confusing requirements now feels like a manageable process with clear steps. Thank you all for making this less intimidating for us first-time FAFSA families!

As another newcomer to this community and the FAFSA process, I can't thank everyone enough for this incredibly clear and comprehensive thread! My son is also graduating spring 2025 and I was completely lost about which tax year to use until I found this discussion. Seeing everyone consistently confirm that we need our 2023 tax return for the 2025-2026 FAFSA has been such a huge relief. I was getting conflicting information from various sources online and was worried about making a mistake that could impact my son's financial aid eligibility. The "prior-prior year" rule explanation makes perfect sense now - I actually love that the system is designed so we don't have to wait for our 2024 taxes or use estimated numbers. Since we typically file our taxes in March, this takes a lot of pressure off the timeline. I'm definitely implementing all the great strategies shared here: gathering our 2023 tax documents now, creating our FSA IDs ahead of time, submitting as soon as the FAFSA opens in October, and using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to avoid manual entry errors. The heads up about priority scholarship deadlines is something I never would have considered on my own. This community has transformed what felt like an overwhelming and confusing process into something manageable with a clear roadmap. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and experiences - it means the world to us first-time FAFSA parents!

I'm going through this exact same situation with my youngest daughter right now! After reading all these responses, I'm definitely going to create my own FSA ID tonight. I was about to just give her my SSN because I trust her, but now I realize it's not about trust - it's about following the proper process and protecting both of us from potential issues down the road. Quick question for those who've been through this: when you create your FSA ID, do you get any confirmation that it's been set up correctly? I just want to make sure I don't mess anything up that could delay her FAFSA processing.

As someone who just went through this process with my son this year, I want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely create your own FSA ID! I was in the exact same situation where my son asked for my SSN and I had that gut feeling that something wasn't right about just handing it over. Here's what I learned: the FSA ID is basically your digital signature for all federal student aid documents, not just the FAFSA. You'll potentially need it for years if your daughter continues to need financial aid, loan documents, etc. Having your own account gives you control and visibility into everything. The process is really simple - took me about 5 minutes on studentaid.gov. Just make sure you have your SSN, full legal name (exactly as it appears on your Social Security card), and a reliable email address that your daughter doesn't use. One tip: write down your username and password immediately! I almost forgot mine by the time we were ready to submit the FAFSA a few days later. Your instinct to be cautious about your SSN is absolutely right - stick with that instinct and create your own account.

I'm in a similar situation with my SAI being around 28,000 and it's been really stressful figuring out how to afford college. One thing that helped me was looking into in-state tuition benefits if you're planning to attend a state school - the cost difference between in-state and out-of-state can be huge (sometimes $15k+ per year difference). Also, some community colleges have guaranteed transfer agreements with 4-year universities, so you could potentially do your first two years at a much lower cost and then transfer. I know it's not ideal, but it could cut your total college costs significantly while you're dealing with a high SAI. The whole system really does feel unfair to families in our income bracket, but there are still some ways to make it work if you plan strategically.

Yes, most guaranteed transfer agreements do require maintaining a minimum GPA, typically around 2.5-3.0, though some competitive programs might require higher. The specific requirements vary by state and school, but here's what to look for: 1. Minimum GPA requirements (usually 2.5-3.0 overall) 2. Completion of specific prerequisite courses 3. Minimum credit hours (often 60+ credits) 4. Sometimes requirements for certain grades in key courses (like C or better in math/English) The good news is these requirements are usually very achievable if you stay focused. I'd recommend contacting both the community college and your target 4-year university to get the exact transfer agreement details in writing. Many states also have online databases that show which courses transfer - like ASSIST in California or equivalency guides in other states. The "college experience" concern is totally valid, but remember you'll still get two full years at the 4-year school, and you can get involved in clubs/activities at the community college too. Plus, graduating with significantly less debt might give you more freedom after college to pursue internships, grad school, or other opportunities without being weighed down by loan payments.